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Maryland Homeschool Requirements Moderate regulation
What Maryland requires from homeschool families — notification, subjects, hours, testing, and portfolio rules — with links to the current law. This is the same state data FolioKid uses to build your portfolio template.
- Governing law: COMAR 13A.10.01
- Required subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Health, Physical Education (COMAR 13A.10.01.01C(1)(b))
- Portfolio: reviewed by the local school system up to 3 times per year under Pathway 1 (district supervision)
Pathway 1 (local school system supervision): portfolio reviewed up to 3x per year by the district. Pathway 2 (umbrella school): annual verification. Instruction must be regular and thorough in the studies usually taught in public schools.
Records you must keep in Maryland
Maryland is a portfolio-review state — a reviewer inspects an actual portfolio, either your local school system (Pathway 1) or an umbrella school (Pathway 2). Keep all of the following:
- A portfolio of instructional materials — the texts, workbooks, and reading materials you use (COMAR 13A.10.01)
- Samples of your child's work across the 8 required subjects (English, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, physical education)
- Evidence of regular and thorough instruction in the studies usually taught in Maryland public schools
- A copy of your signed MSDE consent form (filed with the local superintendent before starting)
- Records of your portfolio reviews (Pathway 1: up to 3 district reviews a year; Pathway 2: annual umbrella verification)
Your Maryland filing timeline
- At least 15 days before startingFile the signed MSDE consent form with your local superintendent.
- All year longKeep the portfolio current — instructional materials and work samples across the 8 subjects — as you go.
- Up to 3 times a year (Pathway 1)The local school system reviews your portfolio at a mutually agreed time and place.
- Annually (Pathway 2)Your umbrella or nonpublic school verifies your program to the superintendent.
How FolioKid builds a Maryland-compliant portfolio
You do the teaching; FolioKid assembles the portfolio Maryland asks for:
- Snap photos of work as it happens — FolioKid tags each entry by subject against Maryland's 8 required subjects.
- Keep your instructional materials and work samples together — Maryland asks for a portfolio showing regular, thorough instruction, and the state sets no minimum hours, so you simply track instruction.
- Track your portfolio-review dates — Pathway 1 families are reviewed by the district up to three times a year; Pathway 2 families verify annually through their umbrella school.
- Export a Maryland-formatted portfolio PDF — or send your reviewer a read-only share link (no account needed, expires in 30 days).
Free: the Maryland Homeschool Records Checklist
A one-page printable PDF — exactly what to keep, your review deadlines, and a blank subject & materials log. We'll email it to you.
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Official Maryland sources
- 📜 Md. Code, Educ. § 7-301 — the statute itself
- 🏛️ MSDE — Home Instruction in Maryland
- 🔎 HSLDA — Maryland homeschool law summary
Maryland homeschool FAQ
What law governs homeschooling in Maryland?
Homeschooling in Maryland is governed by COMAR 13A.10.01. Pathway 1 (local school system supervision): portfolio reviewed up to 3x per year by the district. Pathway 2 (umbrella school): annual verification. Instruction must be regular and thorough in the studies usually taught in public schools. Always verify current requirements with your state department of education.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Maryland?
Maryland requires: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Health, Physical Education (COMAR 13A.10.01.01C(1)(b)).
Does Maryland require testing or a portfolio evaluation?
No — Maryland does not require standardized testing or a portfolio evaluation, but keeping a portfolio of your child's work is still the simplest way to document progress.
Keeping records for Maryland? Snap photos of your kids' work and FolioKid organizes them into a year-end portfolio PDF — formatted around Maryland's requirements.
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